SRF will be seeking its shareholders' approval on September 22 for amending its articles of association to include the new activities.

"The proposed alterations are to facilitate entry into the knowledge-based industry, which ensure high returns and involve low investments," the company said in a notice to its shareholders. SRF, it said, has recently been exploring the avenues for entering into knowledge-based businesses with low investments, attractive growth and profit potential. In view of the growth potential in the field of knowledge-based industry such as information technology and education, the company is planning to diversify into this area for long term growth.

The company has already renamed its management services department as SRF Infotel' Division. "The division has been looking after computer facilities and has acquired expertise in certain management services, including development of software."

Under the diversification exercise, SRF intends to design,develop, purchase, import, export, distribute and deal in all types of information technology-related software used by computers, data processing systems. It also intends to provide complete solutions in related business activities, including computer consultancy services, management consultancy services and running training centres for all uses and for all types of consumers.